INFRASTRUCTURE Storm-sewer project is under way in Niles

The work is included on a floodwaters task force's list of projects.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Storm sewers in a neighborhood of the city's northwest section could be replaced as early as next year.
Mark Hess, Niles city engineer, said the engineering and design work for the project on Fairlawn and Lawnview avenues is complete.
"We are going to advertise the project on Nov. 19 and 26, then open bids on Dec. 6," Hess said.
Work is expected to begin shortly after the contract is awarded.
The work is part of Phase II of the Fairlawn/Lawnview project, and will continue work done earlier this year on Fairlawn Avenue. Hess said pipes for the new storm-sewer system were installed on a portion of Fairlawn, and Phase II will include the installation of pipes on Lawnview.
Hess said the storm sewers will be installed from the end of both streets, which run parallel to one another, and extend past the west side of Liberty Street.
The work is one of 25 infrastructure projects deemed necessary by a floodwaters task force. The task force, appointed by Mayor Ralph A. Infante, was created to assess damage to roads, culverts, storm sewers and more from flooding in the summer of 2003.
The task force developed the list, and the city has worked both in-house and through local engineering and construction companies to complete the projects.
Rate increase
In an effort to fund some of the repairs, upgrades and replacements, city council last year approved a sewer rate increase for residential, business and industrial customers. The increase generates about $223,000 annually and the money is used specifically for the task force's projects.
Hess said the Fairlawn/Lawnview project is estimated to cost about $430,000. Planning, design and construction for all 25 projects is estimated to total between $4 million and $5 million and take until 2006 to complete.
Because the project was approved last year and funding was set aside in the 2003 project, it will not be affected by an order from city leaders last month to stop all capital project spending from now through the end of the year.
"We had the money last year, and it's been there all along, we just didn't get to this project until now," Hess said.
The task force's list of projects was not prioritized, though some were part of the city's routine replacement schedule.
slshaulis@vindy.com